Bookcase filler



Patented Feb. 28, 1939 APri-'ram OFFICE yBOOKCASE FILLER K Vida Barnett, Kansas City, Mo., assigner ofk kone-half toCharlotte E. Holmes, Kansas City,

, Applicationmigst 2s, 1967, serial No. 161,479l '5 oiaims. (01.3211-43) This invention relates kto improvements in a book shelf filler, and particularly to a book shelf ller that is adjustable lengthwise. Manyof the homes today areprovided with built-in book .5 shelves, and oftimesthe tenant does not have a sufficient number of books to properly fill the shelves and it is desirable to use an inexpensive filler that will lend to the appearance of the the library.

10 The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a book shelf ller that is adapted to' be collapsed for shipping and eXtensible to be self-supporting to present the appearance of a series of books when positioned on l5 ythe book shelf. f l

Another Objectis the provision of a book shelf filler that is adjustable as to Vlength by rearranging the parts. f

Other objects are simplicity and economy of 20 construction, ease of manipulation and adjustability to ll spaces of different lengths.

Y In order to clearly disclose the invention, vreference will now be had tothe drawing, wherein: Figure 1v is av perspective view showing book 25 shelves withr a book shelf ller positioned thereon, embodying thisfinventi'on. k

Fig. l2 is any enlarged, front View of the'flller, collapsed. c f 1 Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken on line 30 III-IIIof Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the filler in the operative position, with parts broken away for clearness. f

. 'Fig 5 is a front view of the filler, with the y35 parts-extended.

- Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the filler, with the parts extended.

Fig. '7 is a sectional View, taken on, line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

40 l Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6.

. Fig. 9 is a foreshortened view, taken on line IX-IXof Fig. 4, and,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, taken 45 on lineX-Xof Fig. 9.

Throughout the several views, like reference I characters refer to similar parts, and the numeral 20 designates a front member designed to represent the title edges 22 of a series of books.

50 This front member may be of any desired length 'or height to represent books suitable for shelves of any particular height. The title 24 of each book` may be printed or otherwise indicated thereon.

`| Front member 20 is preferably ycomposed of -stantially parallel with the end members.

two rectangular panels A and B, each representing a series of book edges, and vertically scored or otherwise constructed to permit of relative hinging movement. At each end of the front member `is an end member 26 and 28, which 5 are respectively hingedly secured to panels A and B and are of a width corresponding to the width of the book to be represented. These end members are each provided with an inturned flange 30 which normally retains a position sub- 10 'Ihe end member 28 and panel B are of substantially the same width so that the panel B will serve as the end of the filler when it is desired to make the ller the Width of the section A only, as l5 shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

vThe front member andY ends are preferably made of sheet material that is sufliciently rigid to maintain its shape and position when in use on the'book shelves. The body 32 of these mem- 20 rbers'may be madeof laminated paper, covered with a cloth 34; however, it is very apparent ythatar single piece of scored material might be `used or many other similar sheet materials, such as Bakelite, metal, etc., might be substituted therefor.

For the purpose of improving the appearance of theiiller and to' provide means for securing the ends in proper spaced apart relation, a top member 36, comprising sections C and D, which respectively correspond in length with panels A and B of the front member is adapted to register therewith so that the upstanding ribs 38 thereon will correspond with the division lines between adjacent books. Section C is hingedly secured at 40 to the upper edge of panel A to permit it to be moved to andfromaperpendicular position thereto. Section D is hingedly attached at 42 kto section C, and is free to move relative to panel B. A tongue 44 is secured to the free end 40 of section D by means of the hinge connection 46. The opposite end of member 36 is provided with a hingedly mounted tongue 48. The width of the top sections and their associated parts is substantially the width of end sections 26 and 45 28.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the -ller is adapted to be folded into a compact mass for shipping and storing.

When it is desired to use only the front panel A for filling a vacant place in a book shelf, the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, With tongue 44 between panel B and end member 28, while the tongue 48 is located between end member 26 and flange 30. When so positioned, the 55 front, sides and top will be closed to represent a series of books, while the bottom and back will be open. With this construction, the ller may be positioned on the shelf over other articles, such as worn books, etc.

When it is desired to extend the filler to include both panels A and B as a continuous ller, the top section D is raised and the tongue 44 is inserted between end member 28 and ange 30. Top sections C and D are so ribbed and constructed as to maintain a position substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the front panels. y The invention as describedis easily formed and collapsed, presents a very good imitation of the actual books, and is open at the rear and bottom to permit positioning over other articles.

What I claim is:

l. A book shelf ller comprising a rectangular front member hinged vertically intermediate its .ends to form two panels; end members hi-ngedly carried at opposite ends respectively of said front member, leach of Vsaid end members having .an in- 4turned lia-nge along its outer free edge; a top member hingedly carried by Vsaid ,front member :and having a -downturned hinged tongue at each of its opposite ends to engage between its Yadjacent end member and associated flange to .secure the -ller `in the extended operative position.

2. A ibook shelf ller comprisinga rectangular -front member hinged vertically intermediate its .ends to `form two panels.; .end members hingedly carried opposite ends respectively Yof said front member, each of said end members having .an inturned flange along :its youter i-ree edge; a top member of like length as said vfront member and .similarly hinged to form two sections corresponding in length -to said fron-t panels, the longitudinal edge of vone of .said top sections being .hingedly connected with the edge of the corresponding vfront panel; .a downturned tongue at each end of said top member adapted to be inserted between the adjacent end member and flange whereby the ller is secured in` the -extended operative position.

3. A book shelf filler comprising a rectangular Yiront member hinged vertically intermediate its -e-nds to form two panels; end members hingedly carried at opposite vends respectively of said front member, each of said end members having `an inturned flange along its outer free edge; a top member of like length as said front member and similarly hinged to form two sections corresponding in length to said front panels, the longitudinal edge of one of said top sections being hingedly connected with the edge of the corresponding front panel, the other of said top seotions being free to move relative to its adjacent vfront panel, whereby it is positioned at right angles to said hinged top section and between the .adjacent folded front panel and end member; and a tongue at the other end of said hinged top .section adapted to be inserted behind the flange on the adjacent end member.

4. A :book shelf ller comprising a rectangular front member hinged transversely intermediate its ends to form two relatively movable panels; an end member .hingedly carried at each end respectively of said front member, each of said end members having an inturned flange along its outer free edge; a vertically ridged topV member havin-g two hingedly `connected sections corresponding in length to said front panels, the longi- `tgudinal edge of one of said top sections being hingedly .connectedto the edge of the correspending front panel and a relatively movable tongue vat each end :of said top member, adapted -to cov-operate with :said end members `and their associated flanges to secure the ller in the extended operative position.

5. A book shelf iiller lcomprising :a rectangular front member hinged transversely intermediate its ends to vform two relatively movable panels; an Vend member .hingedly carried at each end respectively of said front member, each of said end members having an inturned flange along its outer Vfree edge.; a vertically ridged top member having two hingedly connected sections corresponding in length to said front panels, the .longitudinal edge of one of said top sections being hingedly connected `to the edge of the corre- .sponding front panel and a relatively movable tongue 'at each end of said top member, adapted to co-operate with said end members andtheir associated flanges to secure the ller in the extended operative position; and all the front, end a-nd Vtop elements of said vfiller being adapted to be moved to substantially parallel relation whereby the filler is collapsed.

VIDA M. BARNETT. 

